SUNNYSIDE OPEN STAGE

Two groups with old souls: the young musicians of the Sonuskapos Jazz Orchestra square off against the veterans who blow their horns (and reeds) in the Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Springboard Performance lives up to its name and mandate by curating performances by local artists at containR.

The Man behind the Orchestra Mason Victoria, an emerging jazz musician, founded the Sonuskapos Jazz Orchestra in Toronto in 2013. Brass Tacks In addition to being an in-demand composer and arranger, Victoria plays the trumpet. Recordings The Sonuskapos Jazz Orchestra’s first album, Imagine We’re Sailing, will be out in November. The record features Brian O’Kane, a trumpeter who has also taught Victoria. Connection to Duke Ellington Victoria won the Toronto Duke Ellington Society Scholarship. By the Numbers Victoria began composing for big band at the age of 18 and has written 25 pieces for Sonuskapos. The orchestra has 19 members. All-Star Lineup Sonuskapos will be augmented by some local luminaries, including Jim Brenan (Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau Band), Sean Craig (Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra), David Reid (Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra), Jon Day (Deanne Matley), Johnny Summers, Andre Wickenheiser and Shane Statz (Calgary Jazz Orchestra and Prime Time Big Band). The Last Word Both acts are working to further big-band music. That’s a big, brassy, noble goal; we’re calling this one a tie. The Man behind the Orchestra Technically speaking, that would be band director and vocalist Nick Hilscher. But, of course, the group serves as a living tribute to Glenn Miller, who, in 1944, was listed as “missing in action” when the plane he was on disappeared while flying from London to Paris. Brass Tacks In addition to being an in-demand composer and arranger, Miller played the trombone. Recordings Where to begin? Miller was the best-selling artist of 1939-1943. His 70-odd top-10 hits include “In the Mood,” “Fools Rush In,” and “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.” Connection to Duke Ellington Miller was fond of quoting Ellington’s famous dictum: “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.” As guiding principles go, it’s hard to beat. By the Numbers Miller made his first recording when he was 31 and formed his first band two years later. The current incarnation of the Glenn Miller Orchestra was formed in 1956, plays 300 or so dates annually and boasts 18 members. All-Star Lineup Alumni of the Glenn Miller Orchestra include the likes of Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton, Johnny Best, Al Klinck and Hal McIntyre.